On The Streets of New York...

Jay-Z's recently "covered" song (on the hit show Glee which I'm only slightly addicted to) "Empire State of Mind" opens with the following lyrics:

Yeah, Imma up at Brooklyn,
Now Im down in Tribeca

I will never again be able to listen to this song without thinking about today.   I began with a wonderful morning in Brooklyn with Oriano  (pictured to the left) and ended with a great visit in Tribeca with Peter Drake.  It has been one of those days in New York that makes you want to move here - at least for me.  Surrounded by artists, great food, leisurely strolls down busy Avenues and people watching.  Before you ask, yes... I am working.  In fact, not only am I working but I'm soaking, nope, basking in some of the freshest - and strangest - culture of fine art.  There is only a sliver of what I'm seeing that would even be considered appropriate for my home state of Indiana but that's what's so great about venturing out of what you find in the day-to-day...  life is very much like air travel in this respect - abrupt changes in altitude might cause some things to shift during flight - and often that shift alone uncovers more than your imagination ever thought possible.

I did not have a chance today to see Oriano's studio but I do hope to make it there tomorrow.  But then I'd also like to have lunch with Michael and Peter tomorrow - see what's new in their worlds and what new material they can perhaps show at our space in the Midwest.  I did meet an artist, Will Kurtz, today (while visiting Peter Drake) in Tribeca (New York Academy of Art) who makes these amazing sculptures out of paper maché.  (See photo to the right) While I enjoyed the portrait work (which is apparently of his family members) - I found the dogs to be exquisite! If you're reading this and would like to commission this man to sculpt your "Best Friend" - we can certainly arrange that.  

Also showing the same exhibit is a woman with whom I did not meet but whose name is Panni Malekzadeh.  Her work has a soft feel with, dare I say it, sexual content - somehow her sweeping brushstrokes add a level of romance to a subject matter that is all to risqué for the 46032 zip code. (To the left is pictured, "The Peep Show" which measures 62 x 89 inches).  Can you imagine the headline in the Star if we had paintings of "painted women" in our windows?  Again though - this is a different town - and being here in New York is akin to having the alarm go off without hitting snooze.  You can't snooze in The Big Apple - the city goes on with or without you and a doggy paddle won't keep you up.  That's why the art here is the way that it is - grab attention or wash out with the tide.  And let me tell you, the NYAA has some attention grabbing art - it reminds me of why I love this business that I'm in. 

The day for me has ended and I'm now nestled into a new apartment with a glass of red wine to wind down.  As promised, the blogs will continue to come and hopefully this journey can be something we can share together.  Between you and me - this city has a way of making a person truly understand what living is - and I can only hope that I pack a little of that in my suitcase to bring home. I love my state but even I can admit that Indiana could use a little of this energy every now and then. :)

Have a great night - and see you all tomorrow.